Chapter 16 016
~LYKA~
I watched as the lady....whose face I now realized looked strangely familiar....stepped fully into the room. My brows furrowed in confusion as my gaze swept over her appearance, and I nearly scoffed at how absurd it was.
She was dressed in a nightdress.
Not just any nightdress, but one that clung to her body in a deliberately seductive way, the fabric hugging her curves as if she had planned this visit carefully. Who comes to see the Alpha of her pack dressed like that, especially at night?
“What are you doing here, Zuri?” I heard Derrick ask as he finally stepped away from me.
I hissed quietly under my breath, irritation burning through my chest. The man was a monstrous bully in every sense of the word....commanding, overbearing, and infuriatingly unreadable.
“I came to keep you company, Alpha,” she replied smoothly.
I scoffed immediately.
“What nonsense,” I mumbled under my breath. “Don’t tell me he needs someone to sing him a lullaby now....”
I froze.
My eyes widened as realization hit me like a slap.
I had said it out loud.
Both of them were staring at me.
Heat rushed to my face, and I forced an awkward smile in Derrick’s direction, hoping....praying....that he wouldn’t react violently. To my surprise, he didn’t look offended. Not even slightly.
That only confused me more.
What did offend this man?
He hardly spoke, rarely reacted, yet everything about him screamed danger. He was fast with a sword, quicker with his mind, and terrifyingly perceptive. He could read expressions faster than most people could hide them.
That was what made him formidable.
That was why I knew he was not someone to trifle with.
“The Alpha doesn’t need a lullaby,” Zuri said coolly, her lips curling into a faint smile, “but I’m sure he still requires my presence.”
She walked closer to us, closing the distance far too comfortably.
A low growl vibrated in my chest before I could stop it.
I knew immediately it wasn’t entirely me.
Elysia.
My wolf bristled, her instincts flaring as she tried to warn the woman away....stay away from my mate. The possessiveness startled me, but it also made my irritation sharper.
“So why don’t you step outside and give us a little privacy,” Derrick said calmly. “I need to speak with her.”
I felt like smashing his head against the nearest wall.
Why was I angry?
Wasn’t this exactly what I wanted....to leave the room, to escape his presence?
“All in for that,” I said quickly, glancing pointedly at the woman.
Only then did it fully register.
She was the rude bh I had bumped into days ago.
Great.
I walked out of the room before I could change my mind. The urge to turn around and barge back in clawed at me, but I restrained myself. Even if I did interrupt them, what excuse would I have?
I was escorted back to my room, and the moment the door closed behind me, I slammed it shut. The sound echoed sharply as I leaned back against it, then moved toward the bed with a long sigh of relief.
At least I didn’t have to serve him again tonight.
“Let’s catch some sleep,” I muttered, dropping onto the bed.
But Elysia was anything but calm.
‘How could you leave the room like that?’ she growled in my head. ‘How could you leave your mate alone with that cunning girl!’
I sighed heavily.
“Don’t be so hyper,” I replied tiredly. “Can’t an Alpha and his member have a simple chat?”
Even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t that simple.
Something felt off, but I couldn’t quite place my finger on it.
‘Are you trying to make me mad on purpose?’ Elysia snapped.
I shut her out gently, forcing my emotions down before they overwhelmed me. I walked toward the balcony instead, drawn to the soft glow outside.
The moon hung high in the sky....bright, full, and untouchable.
“Such a bright moon,” I whispered softly. “I’m jealous.”
Closing my eyes, I let the cool moonlight wash over me, clinging to the faint sense of peace it offered.
The next morning, I was jolted awake by the maids bustling around my room. Panic flared instantly when they announced they needed to dress me for a meeting with the Alpha.
My heart raced.
Was it going to be like last night?
Sensing my fear, one of the maids shook her head quickly.
“No, it’s nothing like that, ma’am,” she said reassuringly. “He only wants to have a meal with you.”
I remained skeptical and only relaxed slightly after I made her swear repeatedly.
I couldn’t take chances with that pervert.
While I was still getting dressed, the door suddenly opened. I turned sharply, startled, and froze when I saw Zuri walk in.
“Good morning, Lady Zuri,” the maids greeted respectfully.
She acknowledged them with a dismissive glance.
“Wait outside,” she ordered. “I want to have a word with her.”
The maids left without hesitation, and I stared at her, unsure of her intentions.
“I can see that you’re smart,” she said coolly. “So I’ll make this simple. Leave the pack.”
I blinked in shock.
What?
Why was she saying that?
If the Alpha wanted me here, why was she telling me otherwise?
“I don’t think I quite understand you,” I replied carefully. “Would you mind explaining what you mean, milady?”
She scoffed as if I’d said something amusing.
“The Alpha doesn’t need to keep a rogue as his plaything,” she said sharply. “I’m advising you to leave quietly....before you get your heart broken.”
My lips curled into a snarl.
“What did you mean by that?” I asked, my voice low.
She stepped closer, her expression unreadable. For a moment, I could swear she was capable of killing me right then....but something restrained her.
“I’m telling you to tread carefully,” she said. “This isn’t your tiny pack. You’ll get trampled if you don’t know your place. So why not leave while you still can?”
A smile rested on her lips, sweet but dangerous.
She wasn’t asking.
She was threatening.
“Are you threatening me?” I asked calmly.
She chuckled, stepping even closer.
“It’s a threat if I see you as worthy competition,” she replied. “Advice if I don’t. I wouldn’t want to see you crushed.”
She patted my head casually, then turned and walked away, her hips swaying confidently.
I stood there, baffled.
Why was she threatening me?
What kind of relationship did she have with Derrick to think she could come into my room and speak to me like that?
“There’s more to their relationship,” I muttered, flopping back onto the bed. “And I’m not ready to find out.”
If only I knew what awaited me in the coming days… I might have taken her warning more seriously.